5 Signs To Engage A Commercial Electrician For A Panel Upgrade

If you're wondering whether it's time to upgrade your business's commercial electric panel, several signs will show it might be necessary. You may still be using an old commercial electric panel because you think there is no need to upgrade it or think you don't have enough money to upgrade it. But an upgrade is a worthy investment. In particular, if your equipment is aged, you should consider a panel upgrade as soon as possible to reduce the risk of electrical malfunctions and fires and to help keep your building code-compliant. Here are several signs to call a commercial electrician for an electrical panel upgrade:

1. You Lack Adequate Power For New Machinery

A commercial electrical panel controls power distribution to all equipment and machinery. That means it can't run new equipment or machinery if it does not have the capacity. Be sure to hire an experienced commercial electrician when buying new machinery to assess power adequacy. They can upgrade the panel to accommodate the new equipment.

2. Not Enough Outlets and Receptacles

Do you struggle to find well-placed outlets for your equipment? A commercial electrician can quickly and cheaply add outlets, receptacles, and switches to your existing electrical system by first upgrading your breaker panel. 

Outlets allow for flexibility in where equipment can be plugged in and thus minimizes cord tripping hazards. Receptacles provide extra power points where needed without adding too much clutter to an outlet-starved wall.

3. Frequent Internal Power Surges

A commercial electrical panel may have safety issues resulting from damage. Or, it may simply be old and already having trouble coping with today's demands. Either way, if internal power surges are frequent, it's time to consider upgrading your electrical panel. 

Power irregularities can cause physical damage to your appliances and electronics or result in fire hazards. Whenever there's even a hint of wiring issues, call in an experienced commercial electrician for an assessment as soon as possible.

4. Poor Power Flow to Certain Zones

A faulty or damaged circuit breaker can lead to poor power flow throughout certain parts of your facility. If the panel is faulty, it prevents power from flowing in most (if not all) of your building. If there is poor power flow, it's time to upgrade the panel.

5. Electrical System is too Old

First and foremost, it's crucial to have an up-to-date electrical system. While some vintage buildings may be grandfathered in with their original systems, they often don't meet today's codes. If the panel dates back several decades, it's best to upgrade it.

An industrial business depends much on an adequate and efficient power supply. Contact a commercial electrician to upgrade your power panel.